Singapore Airlines offers huge compensation to turbulence victims
Singapore Airlines has offered compensation to passengers who were on board the SQ321 flight, that encountered deadly turbulence last month.
One man died of a heart attack and a dozen others were injured when the flight from London to Singapore experienced sudden and extreme turbulence while flying over Myanmar.
The flight carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing, where the injured were treated, with some suffering spinal, brain and skull injuries.
In a recent statement, the airline said that they will offer anyone injured on the flight from US$10,000 (AU $15,150) in compensation.
"For passengers who sustained minor injuries from the incident, we have offered US$10,000 [$15,150] in compensation," they said.
"For those who sustained more serious injuries from the incident, we have invited them to discuss a compensation offer."
The airline said they sent out the compensation offers on June 10.
"Passengers medically assessed as having sustained serious injuries, requiring long-term medical care, and requesting financial assistance are offered an advance payment of US$25,000 to address their immediate needs," the compensation offer read.
They will also provide full refunds of the air fare to all passengers who were on flight SQ321, regardless of their injuries.
All passengers were also provided AU$1,120 for their expenses in Bangkok.
"SIA has also been covering the medical expenses of the injured passengers, and arranged for their family members and loved ones to fly up to Bangkok where requested," the airline said.
Under international regulations, airlines must offer compensation when passengers are injured or die on a plane.
Director of Carter Capner Law, Peter Carter, who is representing passengers on the flight, said all passengers should seek legal advice before signing anything with the airline.
"I doubt there is anyone on the aircraft who did not suffer an injury one way or the other. The insurer should clarify that the $10,000 offer covers all passengers including those who endured the terror of the moment but were fortunate to escape physical injury," he told ABC News.
"Those with any sort of injury should exercise extreme care and should be evaluated by their own medical specialists to determine how this accident might still affect them."
Image: Andrew Davies/X